ENZOOTIC BOVINE LEUKOSIS - OIE

NB: Version adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates of the OIE in May 2012 

CHAPTER 2.4.11. 

ENZOOTIC BOVINE LEUKOSIS 

SUMMARY 

Description of the disease: Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is a disease of cattle caused by the 

bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), a member of the family Retroviridae. Cattle may be infected at any 

age, including the embryonic stage. Most infections are subclinical, but a proportion of cattle 

(~30%) over 3 years old develop persistent lymphocytosis, and a smaller proportion develop 

lymphosarcomas (tumours) in various internal organs. Natural infection has also been recorded in 

water buffaloes and capybaras. Clinical signs, if present, depend on the organs affected. Cattle with 

lymphosarcomas almost invariably die either suddenly, or weeks or months after the onset of 

clinical signs. 

Identification of the agent: Virus can be detected in the culture supernatant following in-vitro 

culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from infected animals, by BLV antigen 

detection, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or by electron microscopy. Proviral DNA can also be 

detected in PBMC or tumours of infected animals by PCR. 

Serological tests: The antibody detection methods widely used are the agar gel immunodiffusion 

(AGID) assay using serum and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using serum or 

milk. These tests have formed the basis for successful eradication policies in many countries. Other 

tests, such as radio-immunoassay, can also be used. A number of AGID and ELISA kits are 

commercially available. 

Requirements for vaccines: No vaccine against BLV is available. 

A. INTRODUCTION 

There may be several causes of lymposarcomas in cattle, but the only definitely known cause is the retrovirus, 

bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), which causes enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). The term sporadic bovine leukosis 

(SBL) is usually reserved for young animals (calves) as well as cutaneous and thymic types of lymphoma, which 

is defined by the age of the animal affected and the distribution of the tumours. The cause of SBL is not known. 

There may also be lymphosarcomatous conditions that do not fall into either the SBL or EBL categories, i.e. adult 

multicentric lymphoma with sporadic occurrence of unknown aetiology. Only lymphomas caused by BLV infection 

should be termed leukosis or enzootic bovine leukosis (Gillet et al., 2007). 

Although animals can become infected with BLV at any age, tumours (lymphosarcomas) are seen typically in 

animals over 3 years of age. Infections are usually subclinical; only 30–70% of infected cattle develop persistent 

lymphocytosis, and 0.1–10% of the infected animals develop tumours. Signs will depend on the site of the 

tumours and may include digestive disturbances, inappetance, weight loss, weakness or general debility and 

sometimes neurological manifestations. Superficial lymph nodes may be obviously enlarged and may be palpable 

under the skin and by rectal examination. At necropsy, lymph nodes and a wide range of tissues are found to be 

infiltrated by neoplastic cells. Organs most frequently involved are the abomasum, right auricle of the heart, 

spleen, intestine, liver, kidney, omasum, lung, and uterus. The susceptibility of cattle to persistent lymphocytosis, 

and perhaps also to tumour development, is genetically determined. 

There is conflicting evidence of the role of the virus in immunological dysfunctions or in increased culling rates. 

Two large-scale investigations estimated the mean decline in milk production per cow among test-positive BLV 

herds compared with test-negative herds as very similar at 2.5% and 2.7%, respectively (Emanuelsson et al., 

1992; Ott et al., 2003). In addition, a 7% lower conception rate in BLV test-positive cows compared with testnegative 

cows has been reported. Increased culling rates and a greater susceptibility to other diseases with 

infectious aetiology, e.g. mastitis, diarrhoea and pneumonia were also demonstrated among test-positive BLV 

OIE Terrestrial Manual 2012 1

Chapter 2.4.11. — Enzootic bovine leukosis 

herds (Emanuelsson et al., 1992). Therefore despite no obvious clinical signs during the long subclinical infection 

period, economic losses caused by persistent BLV infections seem to be relevant. 

Virus can be detected by in-vitro cultivation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The virus is present in 

PBMC and in tumour cells as provirus integrates into the DNA of infected cells. Virus is also found in the cellular 

fraction of various body fluids (nasal and bronchial fluids, saliva, milk). Natural transmission depends on the 

transfer of infected cells, for example during parturition. Artificial transmission occurs, especially by bloodcontaminated 

needles, surgical equipment, gloves used for rectal examinations etc. Lateral transmission in the 

absence of these contributory factors is usually slow (Monti et al., 2005). In regions where blood-sucking insects 

occur in large numbers, especially tabanids, these may transmit the virus mechanically. Viral antigens and 

proviral DNA can be identified in semen, milk and colostrum of infected animals (Dus Santos et al., 2007; Romero 

et al., 1983). Natural transmission through these secretions, however, has not clearly been demonstrated. 

Although several species can be infected by inoculation of the virus, natural infection occurs only in cattle (Bos 

taurus and Bos indicus), water buffaloes, and capybaras. Sheep are very susceptible to experimental inoculation 

and develop tumours more often and at a younger age than cattle. A persistent antibody response can also be 

detected after experimental infection in deer, rabbits, rats, guinea-pigs, cats, dogs, sheep, rhesus monkeys, 

chimpanzees, antelopes, pigs, goats and buffaloes. 

BLV was probably present in Europe during the 19th century, from where it spread to the American continent in 

the first half of the 20th century. It may then have spread back into Europe and introduced into other countries for 

the first time by the import of cattle from North America (Johnson & Kaneene, 1992). A number of countries are 

recognised as officially free from BLV infection. 

Several studies have been carried out in an attempt to determine whether BLV causes disease in humans, 

especially through the consumption of milk from infected cows (Burmeister et al., 2007; Perzova et al., 2000). 

There is, however, no conclusive evidence of transmission, and it is now generally thought that BLV is not a 

hazard to humans. 

1. Identification of the agent 

B. DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES 

BLV is an exogenous retrovirus and belongs to the genus Deltaretrovirus within the subfamily Orthoretrovirinae 

and the family Retroviridae. It is structurally and functionally related to the primate T-lymphotropic viruses 1, 2 and 

3 (STLV-1, -2, -3) and human T-lymphotropic virus[es] 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and -2). The major target cells of BLV are 

B lymphocytes (Beyer et al., 2002; Gillet et al., 2007). The virus particle consists of single-stranded RNA, 

nucleoprotein p12, capsid (core) protein p24, transmembrane glycoprotein gp30, envelope glycoprotein gp51, and 

several enzymes, including the reverse transcriptase. Proviral DNA, which is generated after reverse transcription 

of the viral genome, integrates randomly into the DNA of the host cell where it persists without constant 

production of viral progeny. When infected cells are cultured in-vitro, usually by co-cultivation of PBMC with 

indicator cells, infectious virus is produced, most readily through stimulation with mitogens. 

a) Virus isolation 

PBMC from 1.5 ml of peripheral blood in ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) are separated on a 

ficoll/sodium metrizoate density gradient, cultured with 2×10 6 fetal bovine lung (FBL) cells, and subsequently 

grown for 3–4 days in 40 ml of minimal essential medium (MEM) containing 20% fetal calf serum. Virus 

causes syncytia to develop in the cell monolayer of the FBL cells. Short-term cultures can be prepared by 

culturing PBMC in the absence of FBL cells in 24-well plates for 3 days (Miller et al., 1985). The p24 and 

gp51 antigens can subsequently be detected in the supernatant of the cultures by radio-immunoassay (RIA), 

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblot or agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), and the 

presence of the BLV particles or BLV-provirus can be demonstrated by electron microscopy and by PCR, 

respectively. 

b) Nucleic acid detection by PCR (an alternative test for international trade) 

The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect BLV provirus has been described by various 

workers (Beier et al., 1998; Blankenstein et al., 1998; Belak & Ballagi-Pordany, 1993; Rola & Kuzmak, 2002; 

Teifke & Vahlenkamp, 2008; Venables et al., 1997). Primers constructed to match the gag, pol and env 

regions of the genome have all been used with variable success. So far, nested PCR followed by gel 

electrophoresis is the most rapid and sensitive method. The methods described are based on primer 

sequences from the env gene, coding for gp51. This gene is highly conserved, and the gene and the antigen 

are generally present in all infected animals throughout the course of infection. The technique is restricted to 

2 OIE Terrestrial Manual 2012


those laboratories that have the facilities for molecular virology, and the usual precautions and control 

procedures must be in place to ensure validity of the test results (see Chapter 1.1.4/5 Principles and 

methods of validation of diagnostic assays for infectious diseases, and Chapter 1.1.7 Biotechnology in the 

diagnosis of infectious diseases and vaccine development). 

PCR is mainly used as an adjunct to serology for confirmatory testing. The detection of BLV infection in 

individual animals by PCR can be useful in the following circumstances: 

Young calves with colostral antibodies; 

Tumour cases, for differentiation between sporadic and infectious lymphoma; 

Tumour tissue from suspected cases collected at slaughterhouses; 

New infections, before development of antibodies to BLV; 

Cases of weak positive or uncertain results in ELISA; 

The systematic screening of cattle in progeny-testing stations (before introduction into artificial 

insemination centres); 

Cattle used for production of vaccines, ensuring that they are BLV free. 

• Sensitivity and reliability of the method 

i) Analytical sensitivity: Although the nested PCR assay has a theoretical sensitivities of one target 

molecule, in practice the analytical sensitivity is around five to ten target molecules of proviral DNA. 

ii) False-positive results: The high sensitivity of the nested PCR may cause problems of false-positive 

results due to contamination between samples (Belak & Ballagi-Pordany, 1993). To minimise this, 

several special procedures are adopted throughout the protocol, such as the use of laminar air-flow 

hoods, separate rooms for different steps of the procedure, new gloves or the use of special tube 

openers for each individual assay and negative controls (e.g. water blanks). 

iii) False-negative results: It should be noted that only a small proportion of the PBMC can be infected, 

thus limiting the sensitivity of the assay. The presence of inhibitory substances in some samples may 

cause false-negative results. To detect this, at least one positive control is used on every test run. In 

addition, assays should use internal controls (mimics) that are added to each sample. The mimic is a 

modified target molecule that is amplified with the same primers as the real target, but that generates a 

PCR product with different size, which can be visualised by agarose gel electrophoresis. The mimic is 

added at a low concentration that favours the amplification of the real target (Ballagi-Pordany & Belak, 

(1996). However, it is possible for the mimic to compete with the true target. It may therefore be 

necessary to analyse each sample with or without the mimic. 

• Sample preparation 

PBMC are separated from EDTA blood samples by using the Ficoll-Paque separation method. Alternatively 

buffy coat may be used, or even whole blood, e.g. where samples have been frozen. 

Tumours or other tissues should be homogenised to a 10% suspension. 

• DNA extraction 

Purification of total DNA is a prerequisite for achieving optimal sensitivity. Various purification methods are 

commercially available and suitable for the assay. 

Special precautions should be taken during all steps to minimise the risk of contamination (Belak & Ballagi- 

Pordany, 1993). 

• Nested PCR procedure 

Several PCR protocols for the detection of BLV provirus sequences have been published (Beier et al., 1998; 

Rola & Kuzmak, 2001; Teifke & Vahlenkamp, 2008; Venables et al., 1997). As an example, two PCR assays 

based on the one developed by Belak & Ballagi-Pordany et al. (1993) and the one developed by Fechner et 

al., 1996 are described in detail. The BLV region used as target is the gp51 (env) gene. The sequence used 

for designing the primers is available from GenBank, accession No. K02120. 

Method developed by Belak & Ballagi-Pordany (1993) 


i) Primer design and sequences 


Oligo Sequence Position in K02120 

OBLV1A (5’-CTT-TGT-GTG-CCA-AGT-CTC-CCA-GAT-ACA-3’) 5029 

OBLV6A (5’-CCA-ACA-TAT-AGC-ACA-GTC-TGG-GAA-GGC-3’) 5442 

OBLV3 (5’-CTG-TAA-ATG-GCT-ATC-CTA-AGA-TCT-ACT-GGC-3’) 5065 

OBLV5 (5’-GAC-AGA-GGG-AAC-CCA-GTC-ACT-GTT-CAA-CTG-3’) 5376 

PCR I -product size: 440 bp; PCR II -product size: 341 bp; Mimic-product size: 761 bp. 

ii) Reaction mixtures 

Reaction mixtures are blended (except DNA sample and mimic) before adding to the separate reaction 

tubes. One negative control (double distilled H2O) per five samples, and one positive control should be 

added. Total volumes of mixtures are calculated by multiplying the indicated volumes by the total 

number of samples, including controls, plus one. Taq polymerase is used in a premade 1/10 dilution. 

DNA samples and mimic 1 (Ballagi-Pordany & Belak, 1996) should be added in separate rooms in the 

laboratory: laboratory room 1 for DNA preparations and mimics, and laboratory room 2 for PCR II - 

products, to minimise contamination. 

a) Reagents added in clean laboratory room 

This mixture may be prepared in advance and stored at 4°C for up to 1 month. 

Reagents per reaction (conc.) PCR I reaction PCR II reaction 

Double-distilled H 2 O (standardised) 21 µl 21 µl 

10 × PCR buffer (Perkin Elmer) 5 µl 5 µl 

dNTP (10 mM) 4 × 1 µl 4 × 1 µl 

Bovine serum albumin (1 mg/ml) 

Primers (10 pmol/µl): 

5 µl 5 µl 

OBLV1A 1.5 µl – 

OBLV6A 1.5 µl – 

OBLV3 – 1.5 µl 

OBLV5 – 1.5 µl 

In total: 38 µl 38 µl 

The following should be added just before starting the PCR 


MgCl 2 (25 mM) 5 µl 5 µl 

Taq polymerase (1 unit/reaction) 2 µl 2 µl 

Mineral oil 2 drops 2 drops 


1 Available from Dr S. Belák, Department of Virology, National Veterinary Institute, Box 585, Biomedical Centre, S-751 23, 

Uppsala, Sweden. 



b) Reagents added in laboratory room 1 (DNA) or 2 (PCR II ) 


DNA sample* (or water*) 5 µl – 

PCRI product – 5 µl 


iii) PCR thermoprofiles 

PCR I -thermoprofile 

5 × 94°C/45 seconds, 60°C/60 seconds, 72°C/90 seconds 


1 × 72°C/420 seconds ≥20°C 

PCR II -thermoprofile 



1 × 72°C/420 seconds ≥20°C 

iii) Laboratory procedure 

Mix PCRI-reagents as described in step ii use separate gloves or tube openers for each individual tube 

when adding the DNA samples. Put the samples on ice. Heat the thermoblock to 80°C. Place samples 

in the thermoblock and start the PCR-programme (step iii). 

Mix PCR II -reagents as described in step ii. Use separate gloves or tube openers for each individual 

tube when adding the PCR I -product. Put the samples on ice. Heat the thermoblock to 80°C. Put 

samples in the thermoblock and start the PCR II -programme (step iii). 

• Agarose gel electrophoresis 

Take the PCR II -products to the electrophoresis laboratory. Load approximately 10–15 µl of the samples 

and 23 µl loading buffer on a 2% agarose gel containing 0.01% ethidium bromide (alternative, safer 

products are available to visualise PCR products, e.g. RedSafe TM or GelRed TM ). Using 0.5 × 

Tris/borate/EDTA (TBE) buffer, electrophoresis is performed with 90 mA for 2 hours. To control the size 

of the amplification products, a 100 bp ladder is recommended. Analysis of PCR products is done by 

UV illumination. 

• Interpretation of the results 

i) Positive samples should have PCR products of the expected size (341bp), similar to the positive 

control. 

ii) Negative samples should have no PCR products of the expected size (341bp) but mimic product 

(144 bp) should be present. 

iii) Unclear results: the assay must be repeated if the positive controls (mimic or external positive control 

are negative, or if the negative water controls are positive. 

• Confirmatory testing 

For confirmatory identification, the PCR products can be sequenced, hybridised to a probe, or analysed 

by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis (Fechner et al., 1997). 


Method developed by Fechner et al. (1996) 

i) Primer design and sequences 


Oligo Env-Sequence (5’–3’) Position 

BLV-env-1 TCT-GTG-CCA-AGT-CTC-CCA-GAT-A 5032–5053 

BLV-env-2 AAC-AAC-AAC-CTC-TGG-GAA-GGG 5629–5608 

BLV-env-3 CCC-ACA-AGG-GCG-GCG-CCG-GTT-T 5099–5121 

BLV-env-4 GCG-AGG-CCG-GGT-CCA-GAG-CTG-G 5542–5521 

The BLV-env-1/BLV-env-2 PCR-product size is 598 bp. The BLV-env-3/BLV-env-4 PCR-product size is 

444 bp 

ii) Reaction mixtures 

Reaction solutions are mixed (except DNA sample) before adding to the separate reaction tubes. One 

negative control (double distilled H2O) per five samples, and one positive control should be added. 

Total volumes of mixtures are calculated by multiplying the indicated volumes by the total number of 

samples, including controls, plus one. 

The first PCR can be performed using a 50 µl reaction volume. For one reaction, the assay is optimised 

to 5 µl (10×) PCR buffer, 20 µl DNA (~1 µg of DNA), 1.25 µl each of the env-specific primers BLV-env- 

1 and BLV-env-2 (20 pmol/µl), 0.15 dNTP (each 25 mM), 3 µl MgCl2 (25 mM), 0.25 µl Taq polymerase 

(1.25U), and 19.1 µl of distilled H2O. The reaction follows the temperature profile: 2 minutes 

denaturation at 94°C; 30 cycles of 30 seconds at 95°C, 30 seconds at 58°C and 60 seconds at 72°C; 

followed by 4 minutes at 72°C. 

The nested PCR can be performed using a 50 µl reaction volume. For one reaction, the assay is 

optimised to 3 µl PCR product of the first PCR, 5 µl (10×) PCR buffer, 1.25 µl each of the env-specific 

primers BLV-env-3 and BLV-env-4 (20 pmol/µl), 0.15 dNTP (each 25 mM), 0.25 µl Taq polymerase 

(1.25U), and 36.1 µl of distilled H2O. The reaction follows the temperature profile: 2 minutes 

denaturation at 94°C; 30 cycles of 30 seconds at 95°C, 30 seconds at 58°C and 60 seconds at 72°C; 

followed by 4 minutes at 72°C. 

iii) Laboratory procedure 

Mix PCR-reagents for the first or nested PCR and use separate gloves or tube openers for each 

individual tube when adding the DNA samples. Put the samples on ice. Heat the thermoblock to 94°C. 

Place samples in the thermoblock and start the PCR-programmes accordingly. 

• Agarose gel electrophoresis 

Load approximately 10 µl of the nested PCR products with 20 µl loading buffer on a 2% agarose gel 

containing 0.01% ethidiumbromide. Using 0.5 × Tris/borate/EDTA (TBE) buffer, electrophoresis is 

performed with 90 mA for 2 hours. To control the size of the amplification products, a 100 bp ladder is 

recommended. Analysis of PCR products is done by UV illumination. 

• Interpretation of the results 

i) results: Positive samples should have PCR products of the expected size (444 bp), similar to the 

positive control. 

ii) results: Negative samples should have no PCR products of the expected size (444 bp). 

iii) results: The assay must be repeated if the positive control remained negative, or if the negative water 

controls are positive. 

• Confirmatory testing 

For confirmatory identification, the PCR products can be sequenced, hybridised to a probe, or analysed 

by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis (Fechner et al., 1997). 

2. Serological tests 



Infection with the virus in cattle is lifelong and gives rise to a persistent antibody response. Antibodies can first be 

detected 3–16 weeks after infection. Maternally derived antibodies may take up to 6 or 7 months to disappear. 

There is no way of distinguishing passively transferred antibodies from those resulting from active infection. Active 

infection, however, can be confirmed by the detection of BLV provirus by the PCR. Passive antibody tends to 

protect calves against infection. During the periparturient period, cows may have serum antibody that is 

undetectable by AGID because of an antibody shift from the dam’s circulation to her colostrum. Therefore, when 

using the AGID test, a negative test result on serum taken at this time (2–6 weeks pre- and 1–2 weeks postpartum) 

is not conclusive and the test should be repeated. However, the AGID can be performed at this stage 

with first-phase colostrum. 

The antibodies most readily detected are those directed towards the gp51 and p24 of the virus. Most AGID tests 

and ELISAs in routine use detect antibodies to the glycoprotein gp51, as these appear earlier. Methods of 

performing these tests have been published (Dimmock et al., 1987; European Commission, 2009). ELISAs are 

usually more sensitive than the AGID tests. 

Weak positive and negative OIE reference sera for use in ELISA are available in freeze-dried, irradiated form from 

the OIE Reference Laboratory in Germany (see Table given in Part 3 of this Terrestrial Manual). The calibration of 

these sera is based on the accredited OIE reference serum, named E05, which has been validated against the 

former reference serum E4 by different AGID and ELISAs. 

a) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (a prescribed test for international trade) 

Either an indirect or blocking ELISA may be used. Assays based on both of these are available 

commercially; different kits may be required for serum or milk samples. Some ELISAs are sufficiently 

sensitive to be used with pooled samples. ELISAs are carried out in solid-phase microplates. BLV antigen is 

used to coat the plates either directly or by the use of a capture polyclonal or monoclonal antibody (MAb). 

The antigen is prepared from the cell culture supernatant of persistently BLV-infected cell lines. Fetal lamb 

kidney (FLK) cells are most commonly used for commercial tests (Van der Maaten & Miller, 1976). Since 

2004, a new BLV-producing cell line, PO714, which is free from other viral infections and contains a provirus 

of the Belgian subgroup, has been made available (Beier et al., 2004). The antigen is used at a 

predetermined dilution (e.g. 1/10) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In kit form, the plates are sometimes 

purchased precoated. Some preservatives may be added to milk samples to prevent souring. Preserved 

samples will not usually deteriorate significantly if stored for up to 6 weeks at 4°C. 

• Blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay — Serum ELISA 

The following method is suitable for antibody detection in single or pooled serum samples. 

• Test procedure 

i) Coating the plate 

All wells are coated with BLV antibody, prediluted in coating buffer (100 µl/well), the plate is sealed and 

incubated for 18 hours at 4°C. A wash cycle (standard wash) is performed, which is three washes filling 

wells to the top, with a 3-minute soak in between each wash, and then the plate is blotted. BLV antigen 

is added, prediluted in wash buffer (100 µl/well), the plate is sealed and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C. 

A standard wash cycle is performed. 

ii) Preparation and addition of samples and controls 

The positive and negative control sera are prediluted (1/2) in wash buffer and the solution is added to 

four wells per control (100 µl/well). For testing pooled samples, 80 sera may be bulked then diluted 

(1/2) using wash buffer and the solution is added to two wells (100 µl/well) per sample. Single samples 

should be diluted 1/100 using wash buffer and the solution added to two wells (100 µl/well) per sample. 

After plating out the samples, the plate is sealed and incubated for 18 hours at 4°C. A brief wash is 

performed by filling the wells and immediately emptying them. 

iii) Preparation and addition of conjugates and substrate 

Prediluted biotinylated antibody is added (100 µl/well) to all wells – predilute using wash buffer + 10% 

fetal calf serum – the plate is sealed and incubated on a rocking table for 1 hour at 37°C. A standard 

wash is performed as described earlier. The peroxidase-conjugated avidin is prediluted in wash buffer 

and the solution is added to all wells (100 µl/well). The plate is sealed and incubated on a rocking table 

for 30 minutes at 37°C. A standard wash is performed. 100 µl orthophenylamine diamine substrate is 

added to all wells, the plate is covered and left in the dark for 9 minutes. The reaction is stopped with 

100 µl of 0.5 M sulphuric acid per well. 



• Reading and interpretation of results 

The plate reader is blanked on air and the absorbance is read at 490 nm. For dual wave-length readers a 

reference filter between 620 nm and 650 nm is used. Results are read within 60 minutes after the addition of 

stop solution. 

The absorbance of the negative control should be about 1.1 ± 0.4; if the absorbance is below 0.7, the colour 

development time in step iii above (preparation and addition of conjugates and substrate) should be 

increased. Conversely, the time should be shortened if the absorbance is above 1.5. The absorbance of the 

positive control should be less than the absorbance of the negative control × 0.25. 

A sample is positive when the absorbance of each of the two test wells is identical with or less than the 

mean absorbance of the four negative wells × 0.5. 

A sample is negative when the absorbance of each of the two test wells is identical with or higher than the 

mean absorbance of the four negative control wells × 0.65. 

For samples giving values between the absorbance of the negative control × 0.5 and × 0.65 it is 

recommended to retest the animal, using a sample taken 1 month later. 

• Sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 

The sensitivity of pooled milk ELISAs can be evaluated using the OIE weak positive and reference sera. 

Assays should give a positive result on OIE reference sera E05 diluted in negative milk 250 times more than 

the number of individual milks in the pool (EU Directive 88/406). For example, for pools of 60 milks, E05 

should be diluted 1/250 × 60 = 1/15000. For individual milk samples the positive OIE reference sera E05 

diluted 1/250 in negative milk must be positive. 

Where pooled serum samples are tested, the OIE reference serum E05 must test positive at a dilution 

10 times higher than the number of individual animals in the pool. For example, for a pool of 50 individual 

samples, the OIE reference serum diluted 1/500 in negative serum should give a positive result. In assays 

where serum samples are tested individually, OIE reference serum E05 diluted 1/10 must be positive. 

• Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay — Milk ELISA 

The following method is suitable for antibody detection in pooled milk samples. 

• Controls 

Strong positive, weak positive, negative milk and diluent controls should be included in each assay. A strong 

positive control should be prepared by diluting the OIE reference serum E05 1/25 in negative milk. A weak 

positive control should be prepared by diluting, in negative milk, the OIE reference serum E05 25 times the 

number of individual milk samples in the pool under test. The milk used for diluting the OIE reference serum 

controls should be unpasteurised, cream free and preserved. 

• Example test procedure 

i) Milk samples must be stored, undisturbed in a refrigerator until a definite cream layer has formed (24– 

48 hours), or alternatively, centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, the cream layer should be removed 

prior to testing. 

ii) A BLV antigen and a control negative antigen are precoated in alternate columns in the plate. 100 µl of 

test sample is added to 100 µl wash buffer in the plate to make a 1/2 dilution, adding to two control 

antigen wells and two BLV antigen wells. 

iii) The plate is sealed and mixed on a shaker. 

iv) The plate is incubated between 14 and 18 hours at 2–8°C. 

v) 300 µl per well of wash diluent is added and discarded, and then 200 µl per well wash diluent is added, 

shaken for 10 seconds and discarded. Finally, 300 µl of wash diluent is added and soaked for 

3 minutes and discarded. 

vi) 200 µl per well of anti-bovine IgG-horseradish peroxidase affinity-purified conjugate diluted in wash 

diluent is added and the plate is incubated for 90 minutes at room temperature. 

vii) The plate is washed by adding 300 µl of wash diluent per well; this is then discarded and a further 

300 µl of wash diluent is added. This is left to soak for 3 minutes and discarded. Steps vi and vii are 

repeated. 



viii) 200 µl of ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid]) substrate (prewarmed to 

25°C) is added and the plate is incubated for 20 minutes at room temperature in the dark. The reaction 

may be stopped by adding 50 µl of stopping solution. 

• Reading and interpreting the results 

The plate reader is blanked on air and the absorbance is read at 405 nm. All microplate wells must be read 

within 2 hours of addition of stopper. The absorbance readings of the wells containing negative antigen are 

subtracted from the readings of wells containing the positive antigen. The two net absorbance values for 

each test sample should be averaged. The same applies for the replicate weak positive controls. Replicates 

should be within 0.1 absorbance units of each other. 

For the test to be considered valid, the averaged net absorbance of the weak positive (WP) controls should 

be 0.2–0.6 absorbance units. The net absorbance of the strong positive control should be >1.0 absorbance 

units. The net absorbance of the negative and diluent controls should be less than the lower limit of the 

inconclusive range. 

Assuming that the above criteria are met: 

i) Test samples are positive if their net absorbance value is greater than or equal to that of the WP 

control. 

ii) Test samples are inconclusive if their net absorbance value is 75% or less of the net absorbance value 

of the WP control. 

i.e. if the WP control net absorbance = 0.40 

then the lower limit of the inconclusive range = 0.40 × 0.750 = 0.30 

the inconclusive range in this example would be 0.30–0.39 

and samples of ≥0.40 are considered positive. 

iii) Test samples are negative if their net absorbance value is less than the lower limit of the ‘inconclusive’ 

range (


v) Test sera: Sera from any species of animal are suitable. 

• Test procedure 

i) The agar is melted by heating in a water bath and poured into Petri dishes (15 ml per Petri dish of 

diameter 8.5 cm). The poured plates are allowed to cool at 4°C for about 1 hour before holes are cut in 

the agar. A punch is used that cuts a hexagonal arrangement of six wells round a central well. Various 

dimensions of wells can be used; one satisfactory pattern has been produced using wells of 6.5 mm in 

diameter with 3 mm between wells. For best results, agar plates are used the same day that they are 

poured and cut. 

ii) Antigen is placed in the central wells of the hexagonally arranged patterns. Test sera are placed 

alternately with positive control serum in the outer wells. There should be one control pattern per plate 

with positive control serum, weak positive control serum and negative control serum in the place of test 

sera. 

iii) The test plates are kept at room temperature (20–27°C) in a closed humid chamber, and read at 24, 48 

and 72 hours. 

iv) Interpretation of the results: A test serum is positive if it forms a specific precipitation line with the 

antigen and forms a line of identity with the control serum. A test serum is negative if it does not form a 

specific line with the antigen and if it does not bend the line of the control serum. Nonspecific lines may 

occur; these do not merge with or deflect the lines formed by the positive control. A test serum is a 

weak positive if it bends the line of the control serum towards the antigen well without forming a visible 

precipitation line with the antigen; the reaction is inconclusive if it cannot be read either as negative or 

positive. A test is invalid if the controls do not give the expected results. Sera giving inconclusive or 

weak positive results can be concentrated and retested. 

C. REQUIREMENTS FOR VACCINES 

Despite advances in research on experimental vaccines, there is as yet no vaccine available commercially for the 

control of EBL. 

REFERENCES 

BALLAGI-PORDANY A. & BELAK S. (1996). The use of mimics as internal standards to avoid false negatives in 

diagnostic PCR. Mol. Cell. Probes, 10, 159–164. 

BEIER D., BLANKENSTEIN P. & FECHNER H. (1998). Chances and limitations for the use of the polymerase chain 

reaction in the diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in cattle. Dtsch Tierartzl. Wochenschr., 105, 

408–412. 

BEIER D., RIEBE R., BLANKENSTEIN P., STARICK E., BONDZIO A. & MARQUARDT O. (2004). Establishment of a new 

bovine leucosis virus producing cell line. J. Virol. Methods, 121, 239–246. 

BEYER J., KÖLLNER B., TEIFKE J.P., STARICK E., BEIER D., REIMANN I., GRUNWALD U. & ZILLER M. (2002). Cattle 

infected with bovine leukaemia virus may not only develop persistent B-cell lymphocytosis but also persistent Bcell 

lymphopenia. J. Vet. Med. [B], 49, 270–277. 

BLANKENSTEIN P., FECHNER H., LOOMAN A.C., BEIER D., MARQUARDT O. & EBNER D. (1998). Polymerase 

Kettenreaktion zum Nachweis von BLV-provirus – praktikable Ergänzung zur BLV-Diagnostik? Berl. Münch. 

Tierärztl. Wochenschr., 111, 180–186. 

BELAK S. & BALLAGI-PORDANY A. (1993). Experiences on the application of the polymerase chain reaction in a 

diagnostic laboratory. Mol. Cell. Probes, 7, 241–248. 

BURMEISTER T., SCHWARTZ S., HUMMEL M., HOELZER D. & THIEL E. (2007). No genetic evidence for involvement of 

Deltaretroviruses I adult patients with precursor and mature T-cell neoplasms. Retrovirology, 4, 11. 

DIMMOCK C.K., RODWELL B.J. & CHUNG Y.S. (1987). Enzootic bovine leucosis. Pathology, Virology and Serology. 

Australian standard diagnostic techniques for animal disease. No. 49. Australian Agricultural Council. 

DUS SANTOS M.J., TRONO K., LAGER I. & WIGDOROVITZ A. (2007). Development of a PCR to diagnose BLV genome 

in frozen semen samples. Vet. Microbiol., 119, 10–18. 



EMANUELSSON U., SCHERLING K. & PETTERSSON H. (1992). Relationships between herd bovine leukemia virus 

infection status and reproduction, disease incidence, and productivity in Swedish dairy herds. Prev. Vet. Med., 12, 

121–131. 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2009). Commission Decision of 15 December 2009 amending Annex D to Council 

Directive 64/432/EEC as regards the diagnostic tests for enzootic bovine leucosis (2009/976/EU): Official Journal 

of the European Union L 336, 36-41. 

FECHNER H., BLANKENSTEIN P., LOOMAN A.C., ELWERT J., GEUE L., ALBRECHT C., KURG A., BEIER D., MARQUARDT O. & 

EBNER D. (1997). Provirus variants of the bovine leukemia virus and their relation to the serological status of 

naturally infected cattle. Virology, 237, 261–269. 

GILLET N., FLORINS A., BOXUS M., BURTEAU C., NIGRO A., VANDERMEERS F., BALON H., BOUZAR A.-B., DEFOICHE J., 

BURNY A., REICHERT M., KETTMANN R. & WILLEMS L. (2007). Mechanisms of leukemogenesis induced by bovine 

leukemia virus: prospects for novel anti-retroviral therapies in human. Retrovirology, 4, 18. 

JOHNSON R. & KANEENE J.B. (1992). Bovine leukaemia virus and enzootic bovine leukosis. Vet. Bull., 62, 287–312. 

MILLER L.D., MILLER J.M., VAN DER MAATEN M.J. & SCHMERR M.J.F. (1985). Blood from bovine leukaemia virusinfected 

cattle: antigen production correlated with infectivity. Am. J. Vet. Res., 46, 808–810. 

MONTI G.E., SCHRIJVER R. & BEIER D. (2005). Genetic diversity and spread of bovine leukaemia virus isolates in 

Argentine dairy cattle. Arch. Virol., 150, 443–458. 

OTT S.L., JOHNSON R. & WELLS S.J. (2003). Association between bovine-leukosis virus seroprevalence and herdlevel 

productivity on US dairy farms. Prev. Vet. Med., 61, 249–262. 

PERZOVA R.N., LOGHRAN T.P., DUBE S., FERRER J., ESTEBAN E. & POIESZ B.J. (2000). Lack of BLV and PTLV DNA 

sequences in the majority of patients with large granular lymphocyte leukaemia. Br. J. Haematol., 109, 64–70. 

ROLA M. & KUZMAK J. (2002). The detection of bovine leukemia virus proviral DNA by PCR-ELISA. J. Virol. 

Methods, 99, 33–40. 

ROMERO C.H., CRUZ G.B. & ROWE C.A. (1983). Transmission of bovine leukaemia virus in milk. Trop. Anim. Health 

Prod., 15, 215–218. 

TEIFKE J.P. & VAHLENKAMP T.W. (2008). Detection of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in tissue samples of 

experimentally infected cattle. Berl. Münch. Tierärztl. Wochenschr., 121, 263–269. 

VAN DER MAATEN M.J. & MILLER J.M. (1976). Replication of bovine leukaemia virus in monolayer cell cultures. Bibl. 

Haematol., 43, 360–362. 

VENABLES C., MARTIN T.C. & HUGHES S. (1997). Detection of bovine leukosis virus proviral DNA in whole blood and 

tissue by nested polymerase chain reaction. Fourth International Congress of Veterinary Virology, Edinburgh, UK, 

Abstracts, 202. 

* 

* * 

NB: There are OIE Reference Laboratories for Enzootic bovine leukosis 

(see Table in Part 3 of this Terrestrial Manual or consult the OIE Web site for the most up-to-date list: 

http://www.oie.int/en/our-scientific-expertise/reference-laboratories/list-of-laboratories/ ). 

Please contact the OIE Reference Laboratory for any further information on 

diagnostic tests and reagents for enzootic bovine leukosis

ENZOOTIC BOVINE LEUKOSIS - OIE

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?